Working with The BIGmack: Ideas and Inspiration
If you would rather not read through the ideas for the BIGmack on the BIGmack page of this website or want to see them in action then this is the course for you! It does not just cover working with the BIGmack but also includes the LITTLEmack, the BIGstep and the LITTLEstep system from AbleNet too.
The BIGmack (and its brothers and sisters) is a very versatile tool it can act as an easy tech augmentative communication aid and as a switch and as an interface and as a timer and almost any combination therefore. Typically people are just using it in its basic role and are missing out on the systems great versatility!
The course covers several 'rules' for using the BIGmack which help promote active Learners rather than promoting passivity. It includes lots of hands on experience for participants (depending on the size of the audience) and demonstrates how the BIGmack can be set up to perfrom a wide range of functions incuding controlling toys and appliances.
To download a booking form to attend a course near you please click here.
To review the dates and venues for all courses please click here.
To study the terms and conditions for courses please click here.
The BIGmack (and its brothers and sisters) is a very versatile tool it can act as an easy tech augmentative communication aid and as a switch and as an interface and as a timer and almost any combination therefore. Typically people are just using it in its basic role and are missing out on the systems great versatility!
The course covers several 'rules' for using the BIGmack which help promote active Learners rather than promoting passivity. It includes lots of hands on experience for participants (depending on the size of the audience) and demonstrates how the BIGmack can be set up to perfrom a wide range of functions incuding controlling toys and appliances.
To download a booking form to attend a course near you please click here.
To review the dates and venues for all courses please click here.
To study the terms and conditions for courses please click here.
Description of Course
The 'Working with the BIGmack: Ideas and Inspiration' course explains the issues, implementation and ideas in working with the BIGmack and its associated systems (LITTLEmack, BIGstep, LITTLEstep). Beginning with programming and good practice in the use of the system with Learners, the course covers a number of problems and issues:
- labelling;
- flyswatting;
- staff / Learner interactions: waiting time
- Learner Understanding
and looks at how good practice might overcome and improve such issues.
For an insight in to the sort of things that will be covered in this course take a peek at the BIGmack page in this website.
- labelling;
- flyswatting;
- staff / Learner interactions: waiting time
- Learner Understanding
and looks at how good practice might overcome and improve such issues.
For an insight in to the sort of things that will be covered in this course take a peek at the BIGmack page in this website.
Course Objectives
Course Participants will be able to:
- program a BIGmack;
- use a BIGmack with peripheral systems;
- use the BIGmack as a timing system;
- recognise (and avoid) 'flyswatting';
- design interactions to reduce Learner passivity and behaviours that
staff may find challenging;
- build better practice when using the BIGmack.
- program a BIGmack;
- use a BIGmack with peripheral systems;
- use the BIGmack as a timing system;
- recognise (and avoid) 'flyswatting';
- design interactions to reduce Learner passivity and behaviours that
staff may find challenging;
- build better practice when using the BIGmack.
What level of ability does the course address?
While primarily aimed at Learners experiencing Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, the skills learned on this course are equally applicable to all levels of ability that benefit from using the BIGmack. This course is suitable whether working with children or adults.
Skill level of people attending
People attending this course only need not have used a BIGmack before.
Attendees need no prior knowledge of the BIGmack and none is assumed.
Some knowledge and experience of working with people experiencing learning difficulties is desirable but not essential.
Requirements
There are no specific requirements for people attending this course.
Attendees may wish to bring a pen and some paper to take notes.
Course Outline
Participants should aim to arrive between 8:30 and 9:30 for registration and tea/coffee. The course will commence at 9:30 prompt and the presenter will not delay for late comers. Times below are an approximate guide to the day and may vary considerably. Where the course is closed to outsiders, times may be decided by the booking agency.
At the close of the course at approximately 3:30 pm, participants may leave or stay for further tuition dependng on the requirements of the venue and at the discretion of the course tutor. Additional assistance and support will be given to course attendees by e-mail in the weeks following the course as necessary.
The course will describe and detail the BIGmack (and associated systems) and cover its implementation as well as demonstrating a variety of ideas for its use in the Special Needs environment. Course participants will be guided through many of the ieas, issues, and implementation techniques involved in working with the BIGmack. By the close of the course at approximately 3:30 pm, participants should have a good idea how to promote good practice in working with the system in their place of work or home.
08:30 Arrival, Registration. Tea and Coffee
09:30 Introduction to the BIGmack, LITTLEmack, BIGstep and LITTLEstep.
Using a switch with a BIGmack
Using the BIGmack as a switch
Remote Control
The BIGmack as a timer
BIGmack and POLEs
10:30 Break
10:45 Labelling - Sensory caps
Positioning: theory and practice
Presentation
Flyswatting
Waiting
Prompting
Anti-Social Greetings
Social Interaction Skills
The Best Thing in the World
Behaviours that challenge
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Learner Understanding: Assumptions and Issues
14:00 Break
14:15 Ideas for practice
15:30 Q & A Close of Course
After the course closes, there may be time for further study (depending on the requirements of the venue and at the discretion of the course tutor) for those that wish to remain. However, this will be purely voluntary and all course attendees are free to leave at the official close of course at 3:30.
At the close of the course at approximately 3:30 pm, participants may leave or stay for further tuition dependng on the requirements of the venue and at the discretion of the course tutor. Additional assistance and support will be given to course attendees by e-mail in the weeks following the course as necessary.
The course will describe and detail the BIGmack (and associated systems) and cover its implementation as well as demonstrating a variety of ideas for its use in the Special Needs environment. Course participants will be guided through many of the ieas, issues, and implementation techniques involved in working with the BIGmack. By the close of the course at approximately 3:30 pm, participants should have a good idea how to promote good practice in working with the system in their place of work or home.
08:30 Arrival, Registration. Tea and Coffee
09:30 Introduction to the BIGmack, LITTLEmack, BIGstep and LITTLEstep.
Using a switch with a BIGmack
Using the BIGmack as a switch
Remote Control
The BIGmack as a timer
BIGmack and POLEs
10:30 Break
10:45 Labelling - Sensory caps
Positioning: theory and practice
Presentation
Flyswatting
Waiting
Prompting
Anti-Social Greetings
Social Interaction Skills
The Best Thing in the World
Behaviours that challenge
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Learner Understanding: Assumptions and Issues
14:00 Break
14:15 Ideas for practice
15:30 Q & A Close of Course
After the course closes, there may be time for further study (depending on the requirements of the venue and at the discretion of the course tutor) for those that wish to remain. However, this will be purely voluntary and all course attendees are free to leave at the official close of course at 3:30.
What does it cost?
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